I woke up in the same den I was before. Nothing had changed. I still hadn't any memories. My mind flashed to my dream and I shuddered inwardly. I pushed it back to my head, and tried to block out all the nagging voices and buzz in my head.
"Whitestar, he's awake." Dawnriver called, her eyes gleaming. Dawnriver quickly adjusted the cobwebs she had plastered on my pelt, then got me some soaked moss to drink. I lapped at it, feeling its coolness on my tongue, grateful for the hydration.
The large white tom appeared at the front of the den. He nodded at me, and I climbed tentatively out of my nest. I gently pressed my paw to the ground, and pushing upwards. My knees buckled, and I fell to the ground. I hissed with frustration, before picking myself up and walking. I was still a little shaky, but I didn't feel much pain or exhaustion I had from that night. My fever had gone down as well.
As I climbed out of the herb-filled den, I let out a quiet gasp as I saw the giant camp. It was in a hollow, the walls were stone and there was an entryway for getting in and out of the camp. There was a silver she-cat guarding it, her blue eyes focused. Whitestar kept walking forward, toward the exit. I looked around, seeing a she-cat, around the same age as me, peer out of a den from behind the ferns. I almost fell backwards as the aroma of milk and honey hit me hard, and I purred quietly as I saw two kits tumble over each other, batting playfully at each other's faces.
The sun peered over from a crevice, lighting up the whole camp. The sunlight echoed around the walls of the stony hollow, flashing and reflecting onto different things. Moss and brambles shook as cats clambered in and out of them, and pretty flowers were blooming, multicolored and each unique. I smiled.
"Jayleaf, Emberstrike, Mosspaw, come with me to escort Fallenpaw to the border!" Whitestar called. I was so busy looking at the incredible camp; I hadn't noticed the cats staring at me in disgust, as if I was revolting. A queen quickly wrapped her tail around her kits as I walked by, her eyes wide with fear, as if I was going to attack and eat up her kits or something.
Mosspaw stared at her leader incredulously, unsheathing her claws and narrowing her eyes at me with hatred. "I don't want to walk that… that rogue to the border. I don't want to be near him at all!" She spat at me; her ears flattened and fur bristling.
"Mosspaw. Show some respect for him, he's still young. Just because you're almost a warrior, doesn't give you the right to disrespect others. In fact, just for that rude remark, elder-duty for a quarter moon." Jayleaf growled; his blue eyes narrowed in annoyance. He clouted the she-cat over the ear.
Mosspaw hissed with hatred, seething with fury. Now was my chance. If I could get that apprentice to attack me, and for me to defeat her in a duel, perhaps Whitestar would think I was a good fighter and allow me to join. As she passed by, I smirked with her, rolling my eyes and tossing her a mock expression of her face as Jayleaf scolded her.
"Just because Jayleaf scolded me, don't think I won't still hurt you, rogue." Mosspaw snarled as she passed me, her eyes in slits and claws unsheathed. I'm counting on it. I thought.
"As if you could hurt me." I meowed, flashing her a teasing smile.
"Want me to prove it?" Mosspaw growled. She stopped following Jayleaf and stalked over to me, lashing her tail with fury. She bared her fangs at me, and stood over me. She was a lot bigger than me, and obviously a bit older. I was beginning to feel slightly doubtful.
I swallowed my fear, and lifted myself up till we were nose to nose. "Bring it on." I grinned, knowing that my teasing way of taunting her was driving her crazy.
Letting out an angry snarl, she leapt at me. I sidestepped. Whitestar yowled in alarm. "Hey!" He yowled. I felt panic run through me; if she listened to him, then my plan wouldn't work.
"Listen to your leader, little kitty." I taunted. "He's trying to save you some terrible wounds." Mosspaw seethed with rage, and ignored her leader. She leapt at me again, and as I tried to duck she sank her claws into my fur, pulling me backwards. I struggled against her grip, twisting and falling limp, she released her grip slightly. I quickly shoved downward from my back, crushing her under me. The gray and white she-cat yelped with pain, but quickly kicked me off, as I wasn't heavy enough.
I felt the rush of a battle, adrenaline pumped through me. My instincts kicked in, and the rage of a battle darkened my vision till all I could see was Mosspaw's eyes. I matched each of her blows with one of my own, quickly ducking under her and sweeping her paws out. She fell to the ground. Adrenaline pumped through me. As she got up, I twisted, planting my forepaws on the ground and twisting my hind paws and kicked her in the muzzle, causing her to stumble backwards. As her belly was exposed, I head-butted her and quickly pinned her to the ground, my claws gently brushing her throat. My vision cleared slightly, as I shook my head and stepped off her, looking around.
Whitestar was staring at me in shock, while most other cats were staring at me in astonishment or confusion. A few with anger, a few slightly scared. Mosspaw's eyes were blazing with fury, but she knew she was beaten. She stepped down, turning away.
"Fallenpaw… Where did you learn to fight like that?" Whitestar asked; his voice laced with surprise. No rage, no accusation, no fear, just surprise and confusion.
"I'm… not sure." I admitted, my ear twitching. "My instincts kicked in and kind of did the work for me."
Whitestar shot a glance over at a broad-shouldered dark tabby tom, the same tom that had questioned me last night. The tom narrowed his eyes, but nodded slightly. "We could use a cat of your fighting skill. You used some moves that we have never seen before. You look as if you were trained somewhere like the Dark Forest. How would you like to be a part of our clan?" He asked.
I didn't answer immediately. Although I knew I was going to say yes, I couldn't let him know I was overeager. "Alright." I said slowly.
"What?" Mosspaw snapped with rage. More outraged cries joined her, and the cats swarmed forward, most faces were disbelieving, others full of rage, only a few were excited.
The dark tabby tom stalked forward. "That's enough! He beat one of our warriors last night, and today a senior apprentice. He has given us no reason to distrust him, and he would be an asset to our clan. It is Whitestar's decision." The cats fell silent, even Mosspaw, although her unsheathed claws made it obvious her hostility was clear.
Whitestar climbed up a giant, rocky tumble. There were many rocks and pebbles on top of it, and at the very top was a den. There was a winding path to it, although it looked rather slippery and probably unsafe for a kit or a cat of old age. I was confused. I wasn't sure where to go.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around Highrock!" He yowled, and I stared in surprise as more cats, even tiny kits that I was pretty sure couldn't catch their own prey gathered around the rocky pile and stared up at their leader, respect glinting in their eyes. "I have an announcement to make." He proclaimed.
Dawnriver nudged me forward; her eyes alight with excitement. I stumbled and tripped, cursing myself inwardly as I heard a faint murmur and cruel laugh pass through the crowd. I stood before Whitestar. He nodded reassuringly at me, before opening his jaws to speak. "Fallenpaw, you have proven yourself worthy as a future member of our clan, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Fallenpaw. Your mentor will be Emberstrike. I hope Emberstrike will pass down all she knows on to you."
Emberstrike's eyes gleamed, with excitement, hostility, I couldn't tell. "Emberstrike!" Whitestar called. Emberstrike padded up to him, her head held high. "Emberstrike, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Tigerstorm, and you have shown yourself to be courageous and have outstanding battle skills. You will be the mentor of Fallenpaw, and I expect you to pass down all you know to Fallenpaw."
"Touch noses with her." Dawnriver whispered in my ear. I frowned. That was strange. Nevertheless, I straightened myself up and dabbed my nose to hers before pulling away awkwardly. I stood, facing the clan.
"Fallenpaw! Fallenpaw!" Dawnriver cheered, she faltered, as she didn't hear any other cheers. I refused to let the fact that she was the only one cheering push my feelings down. I wasn't here to make a bunch of new friends, or find a mate, I was solely here to discover more about my past and try to retrieve my lost, forgotten or taken memories.
The cats dispersed, and I walked uncomfortably through the crowd. Cats hissed at me, some of them lashed their tails; their eyes were narrowed in disgust and hostility. I frowned and pressed a bit closer to Dawnriver. Although I knew if it came to a clanmate or me, she would choose her clanmate, she was the closest thing I had to a friend. And I really needed a friend right now.
"We're not going to go explore the forest." Emberstrike told me. I frowned at her tone, it sounded like she was doing something she wasn't supposed to be doing. "I'm going to go mock-duel you. You're fighting against Mosspaw was pretty impressive; I want to see what you can do. We can go explore tomorrow."
I nodded mutely, following her. Dawnriver nodded and offered me a half-hearted smile of encouragement. Whitestar also gave me a quick nod, telling me to follow her. Warily, I followed Emberstrike out of the camp's exit. We walked for a while in the forest, before we got the destination.
I felt oddly relaxed in the forest, listening to the soft sound of the leaves rustling with the breeze. Feeling the breeze flutter past me, the soft crunch of the grass under my paws. The birds chirping their songs, and only pieces of sunlight and the sky showing through the tree branches and leaves, causing a dappled pattern on the grass and ground. I stared, fascinated by it's beauty. I never knew the forest could be so pretty during the day.
"Wake up." Emberstrike snapped, tapping me on the shoulder.
"W-what?" I mumbled, and then stared with surprise as we approached our destination. It was a clearing, with pieces of moss growing on the grounds and the trees.
Emberstrike crouched down lowly, waggling her haunches. She swooshed her tail across the floor, arching her back slightly, and bracing herself. I dropped into a fighting stance as well, and watched her leg muscles. She was bracing herself, I could tell by the tenseness of her muscles in her leg. Without warning she leapt at me.
Not knowing what I was doing, I quickly rolled out of the way, my eyes not leaving Emberstrike. I watched as she landed in the position I was before, and quickly I leapt at her. I tucked my head so my chin pressed against my chest, slamming into her and ramming her off balance. The ginger furred she-cat hissed with surprise and toppled backwards, in so the moment I felt myself swipe at her paws, sweeping them out from under her. She crumpled, and I leapt up, twisted and landed on her shoulders, pressing down hard between her shoulder blades, and then pinning her down.
"Impressive." Emberstrike praised grudgingly, nodding in approval.
"Thanks." I purred, my eyes shining from her praise.
"Come now, that was just a mock-fight. I know that you're a solid fighter, we'll work on battle training later." She waved her tail at me. Was this some sort of assessment? I wasn't sure. I followed her, bounding through the trees. She stopped at a place in the forest; brambles and bushes were everywhere, and the trees here were all thick and tall.
"Why are we here?" I asked curiously, blinking.
"To hunt." She responded immediately. "Open your jaws, scent the air. What do you taste?"
I did as she said. I opened my jaws slightly, tasting the air. I felt many scents flood into my mouth, and I could feel my mouth getting wet and producing drool as I tasted the sweet, delicious smell of a forest hare. "Forest hare." I responded quickly, averting my gaze and hoping I'd done it right.
"Good job." She meowed, although there was no approval or congratulations in her tone. "Get in a hunting crouch. I'm assuming wherever you're from you were taught one?"
I wasn't sure what that was, but I couldn't let her know that. What would you do when hunting? I thought hard, squeezed my eyes shut, followed my gut and shifted my body according to what my brain and instincts demanded of me.
"Perfect position." Emberstrike looked surprised, her neck fur had even rose. "Are you sure you can't remember what clan your from? Sounds like you guys had some pretty tough but efficient training techniques back where you were from."
My heart stirred uncomfortably. "I can't remember, sorry." I apologized. "So, do I catch the forest hare? It can't be too far from here." I meowed, quickly changing the topic. Emberstrike seemed to notice my discomfort with the topic, and she nodded slightly.
I was surprised how easy it was for me to settle in to the crouch. I tasted the air, and pressed my belly low to the ground. I curled my tail over my back, and pulled one paw in front of the other, careful not to step on anything. My eyes flashed as I saw my prey; a large, sand-colored forest hare that was nibbling on some of the flowers.
I realized wherever I came from, they must have taught me the basics. They must have taught me how to fight, how to hunt, what everything was, and some decent medicinal training was provided. I couldn't think in my head of how to fight; of any battle moves, any battle tactics, how to hunt, but when it happened; when I was forced into it, it came so easy to me I could do it asleep.
I was close to the hare now, it was only a few paw-steps away. I crouched, so the ferns would hide me and my scent. Emberstrike stared at me intently, her gaze forceful, demanding that I go on. As comfortable as I was in this crouch and with the idea of hunting; I was nervous. What if I made a fool of myself? Suddenly, I felt the wind direction change.
The hare twisted around, his ears perked up and eyes wide with alarm. He turned around to run. I burst out of my hiding spot, a powerful, long jump that carried me two fox-tail lengths across the forest floor. I landed square on my prey's back, and I swiftly nipped at it's spine, taking it out of it's misery and terror.
"Thank you." I whispered into the breeze. I wasn't sure who I was thanking, or why I was thanking them, but a sense of relief flooded over me that I hadn't made a fool of myself, and I just felt so oddly grateful to it. "Thank you."
"That was an impressive leap." Emberstrike meowed, nodding at the forest hare. "You're just full of surprises aren't you? First the battle skill, then the hunting. You must have really trained hard." Her expression was bright; and I could tell under her tough demeanor that she was proud of me. "Let's see if you can climb. Nothing too hard, of course."
I was feeling pleased, happy, and skillful. "Challenge me." I meowed bravely, puffing out my chest. For the first time since I got here, I felt oddly safe and comfortable. I felt as if I wasn't so alone anymore; that I was like any other apprentice in the clan. Aside from the fact that almost everyone hated me and wished me to be gone, of course.
"No need to get cocky." Emberstrike meowed sternly. "We'll test it out with that tree over there." She gestured her tail towards a tree; not too high, thick trunk, the bark was scratchy and would be easy to grip into with my claws. It's trunk was a reddish brown, and thick, green leaves sprouted out of the thin, fragile twigs. Too weak to carry themselves, attaching themselves to the tree; like a kit to her mother.
I knew that most cats saw a tree as what it was, a tree. A trunk with leaves and branches growing out of it. A nest for the prey they would eat. I chose to see my world another way; I found it gave everything a certain flair, something that would make something as dull as a tree interesting, and connected slightly to the way we live. An annoyed voice jerked me out of my thoughts.
"Stop daydreaming!" Emberstrike snapped. "We're going to have to break you off that habit." I jerked back to reality, and focused on my task. I felt brave. I dug my claws into the bark, and pulled myself up. It wasn't as easy as fighting and hunting. My heart clambered against my chest, and I felt my heartbeat in my ears. I was shaking, and my grip on the tree was difficult.
I sank my claws into the next piece of bark, above the one I was grabbing onto right now. I pulled myself up, twisting and avoiding places where leaves and twigs jutted out. I heard a crack. Nervously, I looked down. The piece of bark I was holding onto had gone loose, and I let out a quiet scream as I dangled by my claws only, from what seemed like a million mouse-lengths from the ground.
"Are you stuck?" Emberstrike called, her eyes flashing with worry.
"I'm… fine." I gasped, scrabbling for a paw hold. As soon as I got one, I clung onto it dearly, not moving, giving myself a moment to calm down first. I gripped it with my claws, and pushed upwards. My heart pounded in my chest.
"I'm guessing you didn't live in a forest?" Emberstrike called after me.
I pulled myself up shakily, gripping onto the branch with both paws and wrapping my tail around it just for extra protection. "I guess not." I agreed shakily, clinging onto the branch. I let out a low squeal of fear as the branch shook and bent under my weight, I looked down. Emberstrike looked so far away. The ground seemed to be stretching, every second I looked at it, the higher up I got, and the further away from the ground I was.
I could feel Emberstrike staring at me expectantly, her gaze scorching my pelt. I knew I was supposed to go down, but it was too scary. I clung onto the branch, gazing downwards, my vision blurred with terror and panic. "I… I can't get down." I meowed helplessly, grabbing onto the branch.
"Going down is easier. I'll show you how you do it, copy me okay?" Emberstrike meowed, before quickly streaking up the tree like a squirrel. She sat on a branch facing mine, her tail curled neatly over her paw. I felt my jaw drop. It was my turn to be impressed.
She grabbed onto the branch with her forepaws, then carefully slid off the edge, gripping the branch firmly with her paws. She released, let herself drop, her paws out and gripping onto the branch underneath her. She nodded at me. It was my turn. Nervously, I swung myself over the branch. I gripped the branch tightly, before releasing. I felt my heart pound during the few seconds I was falling. The impact of landing on the lower branch hit me hard, and I let out a gasp as the breath was driven out of me.
"Oh look," A mocking voice sneered from below. "The rogue can't climb. Pathetic." A murmur of cruel giggles passed among her group for friends. My ears flicked up in recognition, and I glared downwards at the familiar gray and white pelt of Mosspaw. Her muzzle was twisted into a cruel and devilish sneer.
Anger fueling my energy and determination to show her I wasn't weak, I let go of my tree branch and balanced levelly on the one beneath me. I was close enough to the ground now to jump. I took a deep breath and leapt out of my branch, praying that I would land well. I flailed a bit in the air, trying to get into a crouch. I hit the ground hard, and stumbled a bit, but didn't fall.
Mosspaw scowled, and backed up a bit. "Lucky jump." She growled. She turned towards a red-ginger she-cat. "Flamepaw, show him how well you can climb." She meowed.
Flamepaw nodded, bracing herself. She flashed a swift mocking apologetic glance at me, like she was saying; I'm sorry you're going to get so hopelessly crushed. A loud growl interrupted them, and Emberstrike dropped neatly to the ground. She stalked forward, looming over Mosspaw.
Mosspaw scrambled backwards, clearly slightly frightened by Emberstrike's act of intimidation. I smirked with amusement, sitting down and enjoying the show. "What's. Going. On. Here." Emberstrike growled, her voice rumbling in her throat. Her claws were half-sheathed, digging gouges into the earth. She pronounced every word heavily, as if each word was it's own sentence.
A cream furred tom stepped in front of the two she-cats. "None of your business." He meowed rudely, with an arrogant flip of his head.
Emberstrike turned away from Mosspaw, and loomed over him. She fully unsheathed her claws, her fangs peering out of her mouth. Her lip was slightly pulled back now. "Are you sure about that?" Her voice was oddly quiet, with a touch of icy calm. It was eery how calm she seemed.
"Berrypaw, let's just go." A light gray and white tabby she-cat meowed, her voice softer and gentler then the other three. She flashed me an apologetic glance; unlike Flamepaw's, I could detect that she really felt bad that her friends were torturing me. "Come on." She tugged on his tail, and without saying anything the four cats just turned away.
"Thanks for sticking up for me." I meowed awkwardly, taking the chance to peer at Emberstrike.
"It was nothing. I swear there are nursery tales about me eating kits." Emberstrike snorted, rolling her eyes. She lashed her tail, grabbed my forest hare and stalked forward without a word, but I could tell that she was upset that the cats felt this way about her.
"Why are they all so afraid of you?" I asked, racing forward to catch up with her.
Emberstrike stayed silent for a moment. Then she stopped, and turned to me. "They'll accept you eventually." Emberstrike meowed. "You're done today, you did well. Go get some prey and head to your nest." I glanced at the sky, it was already darkening, turning into a dusky blue.
I frowned at her sudden change of a topic, but I nodded. I didn't know my way back to camp yet, so I followed close behind her. As we walked, I took my attention off the leafy forest. I focused on my mentor. I scanned her pelt, watching the way her sturdy muscles rippled under her pelt. I felt a flash of surprise and slight horror as I noticed all of the bloody scars marked on her pelt, especially the giant one running on the side of her flank.
"See you tomorrow. We'll be on the dawn patrol. It'll be a great way for you to see the territory." Emberstrike meowed, padding towards the fresh-kill pile. I felt embarrassed, realizing that she noticed my inspecting her pelt. Meekly, I dipped my head and padded towards the fresh-kill pile.
Emberstrike had already dropped the fleshy forest hare on the pile. Whitestar padded towards me, his eyes gleaming with interest. "You caught that?" He asked, curiosity glinting in his blue eyes.
I nodded. "Yeah." I wasn't sure if I was supposed to stay and talk, or turn away, or get him some prey. I just sat there edgily.
"Good job." He praised me. I frowned at his sudden and strange interest towards me; he hadn't seemed this interest before today.
"Maybe he let me in the clan on purpose." I muttered to myself, swishing my tail. I was frustrated and bewildered; was he hiding something? Did that Rock cat visit his dreams and tell him something about me? I sighed, my brain already tired just thinking about it.
Looking around, I saw every cat had someone to talk to and eat with except me. Suddenly feeling very lonely, I grabbed the smallest piece on the fresh-kill pile. I didn't even belong here; I shouldn't even be taking their food. Mosspaw was right. I sat on the very edge of the clearing, eating my prey. I pushed the bones away and turned away to walk to my den.
"Hey. Where do you think you're going?" Berrypaw sneered, his eyes glittering coldly.
I kept my jaws shut. I would let it play out. I observed him, and waited for him to say something else. "Answer me, you mouse-brain. Didn't anybody teach you how to be polite? Oh right, I forgot, rogues are all impolite and rude; just like you."
I was too tired to fight back. I just dipped my head, and turned away. I could tell he was surprised; I heard his paws steps receding as he ran back; probably to join his friends. I walked into the den. It was rather stuffed.
"If you're looking for a nest, you don't have one." Flamepaw smirked from behind me. I hadn't even realized she was here.
"That's okay." I growled quietly. I curled up against the stone wall on the floor; not feeling any pain when the thorns and thistles jabbed into my pelt. Exhausted, I fell asleep immediately.